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National Union (Egypt)

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National Union
الاتحاد القومي
General SecretaryAnwar Sadat
(1957–1959)
Kamal el-Din Hussein
(1959–1962)
ChairmanGamal Abdel Nasser
Founded28 May 1957[a]
Dissolved1962 (1962)
Preceded byLiberation Rally
Succeeded byArab Socialist Union
HeadquartersCairo, Egypt
IdeologyArab nationalism
Arab socialism
Pan-Arabism
Nasserism
Anti-Zionism
Anti-Ikhwanism
Republicanism
Anti-communism
Political positionLeft-wing

The National Union (Arabic: الاتحاد القومي al-Ittihâd al-Kawmi) was the only permitted party in the United Arab Republic,[2][3] the political union between Egypt and Syria that existed from 1957 to 1962.

History

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The National Union was founded by a presidential decree in Egypt in May 1957 by President Gamal Abdel Nasser as a successor to the Liberation Rally, with its permanent functions in effect from November 1957, shortly before the founding of the United Arab Republic.[4] After the formation of the UAR in 1958, the National Union also became the only legal political movement in Syria. In the latter country, the National Union was controlled by former Ba'athists and anti-communists.

President Nasser with prominent members of the National Union and Ba'ath Parties

The main objective of the National Union was to mobilize the population behind Nasser's policies, which consisted of pan-Arabism, reforms and the building of a welfare state. However, the National Union did not become a real mass movement, certainly not in Syria. The latter country withdrew from the UAR in September 1961. In 1962 Nasser replaced the National Union with the Arab Socialist Union (ASU).

Notes

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  1. ^ Per Presidential Decree 481, "Formation of the National Union to achieve the goals of the July Revolution". Permanent organisational structures and the appointment of the first General Secretary were not published until early November 1957.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "أنور السادات". sadat.bibalex.org. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  2. ^ Drs. Ch. Jansen: Encyclopedia of the Middle East, Text and Explanation: Actuale Parool Pockets 6, Parool A'dam 1969, p. 93
  3. ^ A. Goldschmidt Jr., R. Johnston: Historical Dictionary of Egypt, Scarecrow Press Lanham, Maryland / Oxford 20033, p. 293
  4. ^ Goldschmidt, Johnston 2003:293